General Instruction of the Roman Missal

Copyright © 2003, United States Catholic Conference, Inc.,
Washington, D.C. All rights reserved.
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Including Adaptations
for the Dioceses of the United States of America


Concordat cum originali:

Msgr. James Patrick Moroney
Executive Director, Secretariat for the Liturgy
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

The English translation of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (Third Typical Edition) © 2002, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright holder.

This text is confirmed for use in the Dioceses of the United States of America. Persons from other nations should consult the local Episcopal Conference regarding the appropriate text for their nation.


Contents

Foreword to This Edition
Decree of Confirmation
Decree of Publication

The General Instruction of the Roman Missal

Preamble
A Witness to Unchanged Faith
A Witness to Unbroken Tradition
Accommodation to New Conditions

Chapter 1
The Importance and Dignity of the Eucharistic Celebration

Chapter II
The Structure of the Mass, Its Elements and Its Parts

  1. The General Structure of the Mass
  2. The Different Elements of the Mass
    Reading and Explaining the Word of God
    The Prayers and Other Parts Pertaining to the Priest
    The Other Formulas in the Celebration
    The Vocal Expression of the Different Texts
    The Importance of Singing
    Movements and Posture
    Silence
  3. The Individual Parts of the Mass
    1. The Introductory Rites
      The Entrance
      Greeting of the Altar and of the People Gathered Together
      The Act of Penitence
      The Kyrie Eleison
      The Gloria
      The Collect
    2. The Liturgy of the Word
      Silence
      The Biblical Readings
      The Responsorial Psalm
      The Homily
      The Profession of Faith
      The Prayer of the Faithful
    3. The Liturgy of the Eucharist
      The Preparation of the Gifts
      The Prayer over the Offerings
      The Eucharistic Prayer
      The Communion Rite
      The Lord's Prayer
      The Rite of Peace
      The Fraction
      Communion
    4. The Concluding Rites

Chapter III
The Duties and Ministries in the Mass

  1. The Duties of Those in Holy Orders
  2. The Duties of the People of God
  3. Particular Ministries
    The Ministry of the Instituted Acolyte and Lector
    Other Ministries
  4. The Distribution of Duties and the Preparation of the Celebration

Chapter IV
The Different Forms of Celebrating Mass

  1. Mass with a Congregation
    The Articles to Be Prepared
    1. Mass Without a Deacon
      The Introductory Rites
      The Liturgy of the Word
      The Liturgy of the Eucharist
      The Concluding Rites
    2. Mass with a Deacon
      The Introductory Rites
      The Liturgy of the Word
      The Liturgy of the Eucharist
      The Concluding Rites
    3. The Duties of the Acolyte
      The Introductory Rites
      The Liturgy of the Eucharist
    4. The Duties of the Lector
      Introductory Rites
      The Liturgy of the Word
  2. Concelebrated Mass
    The Introductory Rites
    The Liturgy of the Word
    The Liturgy of the Eucharist
    The Manner of Speaking the Eucharistic Prayer
    Eucharistic Prayer I, that is, The Roman Canon
    Eucharistic Prayer II
    Eucharistic Prayer III
    Eucharistic Prayer IV
    The Communion Rite
    The Concluding Rites
  3. Mass at Which Only One Minister Participates
    The Introductory Rites
    The Liturgy of the Word
    The Liturgy of the Eucharist
    The Concluding Rites
  4. Some General Norms for All Forms of Mass
    Veneration of the Altar and the Book of the Gospels
    Genuflections and Bows
    Incensation
    The Purification
    Communion under Both Kinds
Chapter V
The Arrangement and Furnishing of Churches for the Celebration of the Eucharist
  1. General Principles
  2. Arrangement of the Sanctuary for the Sacred Synaxis (Eucharistic Assembly)
    The Altar and Its Appointments
    The Ambo
    The Chair for the Priest Celebrant and Other Seats
  3. The Arrangement of the Church
    The Places for the Faithful
    The Place for the Choir and the Musical Instruments
    The Place for the Reservation of the Most Holy Eucharist
    Sacred Images
Chapter VI
The Requisites for the Celebration of Mass
  1. The Bread and Wine for Celebrating the Eucharist
  2. Sacred Furnishings in Genera
  3. Sacred Vessels
  4. Sacred Vestments
  5. Other Things Intended for Church Use
Chapter VII
The Choice of the Mass and Its Parts
  1. The Choice of Mass
  2. The Choice of Mass Texts
    The Readings
    The Orations
    The Eucharistic Prayer
    The Chants
Chapter VIII
Masses and Prayers for Various Circumstances and Masses for the Dead
  1. Masses and Prayers for Various Circumstances and Masses for the Dead
  2. Masses for the Dead
Chapter IX
Adaptations Within the Competence of Bishops and Bishops' Conferences

Index to This Edition

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Secretariat for Divine Worship | 3211 4th Street, N.E., Washington DC 20017-1194 | (202) 541-3060 © USCCB. All rights reserved.

Secretariat of Divine Worship | 3211 4th Street, N.E., Washington DC 20017-1194 | (202) 541-3060 © USCCB. All rights reserved.